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Acute Effects of Cervical Manual Therapy on Eye Blood Flow
Sponsor: Yuzuncu Yil University
Summary
This study evaluates the acute effects of cervical manual therapy on retinal and choroidal microvascular perfusion using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). In this prospective randomized sham-controlled trial, 100 patients with chronic mechanical neck pain were randomly assigned to receive either cervical high-velocity low-amplitude manipulation combined with Maitland mobilization (manual therapy group) or sham treatment. Bilateral OCTA examinations were performed at baseline and at 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after intervention. The primary outcome is whole-image density Secondary outcomes include whole-image and parafoveal vessel density, radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) density, subfoveal choroidal thickness, foveal avascular zone parameters, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, ganglion cell complex thickness, and macular thickness. The study aims to determine whether cervical manual therapy produces a significant augmentation of retinal and choroidal perfusion compared with sham treatment, with peak effects expected at 60 minutes post-intervention.
Official title: Acute Effects of Cervical Manual Therapy on Retinal and Choroidal Perfusion Assessed by Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: A Prospective Randomized Sham-Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 70 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
96
Start Date
2026-08-12
Completion Date
2026-09-09
Last Updated
2026-09-16
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Cervical Manual Therapy
A single, standardized session consisting of cervical high-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) thrust manipulation targeting C1-C2 and C3-C4 bilaterally, supplemented by sustained Maitland grade III-IV mobilization of the mid-cervical spine. Total session duration: 15-20 minutes. Audible cavitation is documented as a quality indicator. Participants remain seated throughout the post-intervention observation period.
Sham Treatment
Light, non-therapeutic manual contact at the same anatomical sites as the active intervention, without joint movement, traction, or thrust (\<5 N contact force, verified by force gauge during training). Session duration is identical to the active intervention (15-20 minutes). Participants remain seated throughout the observation window to control for postural effects on choroidal thickness.
Locations (1)
SBU Van Training and Research Hospital
Van, Turkey (Türkiye)